Post by coachcb on May 1, 2019 10:18:13 GMT -6

A post from another thread got me thinking about this topic. We all know that football games can get intense and emotions run hot on the sidelines. Over the years, I've been involved in or privy to some pretty gnarly sideline arguments that have been written off as a part of coaching the game. I know that it takes a thick skin to be a coach but I often wonder how professional this little spats on the sideline really are. We talk all the time about keeping arguments behind closed doors so why would the sideline be any different?

Post by Defcord on May 1, 2019 10:34:03 GMT -6

I had one when I was a head coach. We were in a playoff game. Tough game. We were winning 14-0 against a team that every body picked to beat us.

We were double tight double wing and they were air raid. They couldn't move the ball. Previously in the year their QB set the state record for pass TDs in a game. They ended up completing zero passes that night against us with 5 interceptions. The weather helped but our defense was playing lights out.

Anyway early in the 3rd quarter they run a counter play and cut it back. Our cutback player is no where to be found and they score. One of our assistants who I had a tenuous relationship with said "nice counter." I said "nice counter? Nice effing counter??? Why don't you root for our effing team!?"

It was inappropriate on my part. I didn't like the dude and kept him around and it just caused tension. That was on me. I never apologized and still don't know if my ego would let me. I would never do it again because I just don't think you should talk to another person in that manner.

The stress brings out the best in us sometimes. It is part of it, but I don't think it's ever excused. Have to learn from it and treat people better following it.

Post by coachcb on May 1, 2019 11:03:17 GMT -6

I just used to view it as a part of the game as I saw arguments happen on the sidelines of NFL and college games and was around or involved in a few while I've coached. I've had HC's get after me over the headphones or on the sideline for one thing or another over the years but nothing really bothered me. But, a situation a few years ago did:

We were in the middle of a close game and I was the DC. A team motioned to trips and ran a bubble screen for five yards. My eyes were on the secondary, making sure they executed the triangle rotation correctly. Here's the conversation that ensues over the headphones:

Coach in the box: "The defense was set coach."Me: "I need specifics, coach, what do you mean they weren't set?"Coach: "We weren't lined up right."Me: "WHO WASN'T LINE UP RIGHT?"

BAM!, they motion to trips and hit a bubble screen again for five yards. Again, my eyes are on the triangle rotation as I'm thinking that the safety is screwing it up by not getting down quick enough or is too far in. But, he's in the correct alignment.

HC pops the headphones off and storms over: "GET YOU F&*&ING DEFENSE LINED UP RIGHT!!"Me: "I'm trying coach but I can't get it fixed if I don't know what's wrong."Coach in the box: "We're not lined up right!!"Another coach over the headphones: "THEY'RE KILLING US WITH THE BUBBLE SCREEN! GET THE DBS SQUARED AWAY!!"

I take the headphones off and run down to the other end of the sideline to get a better look at what is going on. The HC follows me down, hollering the whole way. This time, I see our Sam cheating inside when they motion to trips, holler at him to bump out but it's to late: he gets his butt pinned inside and they smack us with another bubble screen.

HC comes uncorked: "GET THE F*&(ING LINEBACKERS LINED UP RIGHT!! CHEERIST!! FUNDAMENTALS!!"Me (put the headphones back on): Guys, I need details from the box. If a linebacker is out of place, tell me a linebacker is out of place!!"Coach in the box: "I told you they weren't lined up right!!"

Post by dblwngr on May 1, 2019 11:08:50 GMT -6

Getting a little bit heated is one thing, arguments are another in my opinion. It's a total loss of self control and never has any positive result.

Worked for a guy that would blow up quite often when the other team did something good against us, was always some assistants fault and sometimes mine as the DC.

I would have maybe gave him my ear if he was even remotely interested in actually watching game film on our opponents. Back then we had VHS tapes, I'd get done with my all weekend breakdown and give a call to see if he then wanted the tapes, only to hear, "Nah, we're just gonna do what we do, tape won't make any difference."

Was glad our time together was short to say the least, so was everyone else. He was like the drunken step Dad that was just looking for a reason to yell at the kids.

"Greatness is a lot of little things done well stacked on top of each other"

Post by Defcord on May 1, 2019 11:24:48 GMT -6

Getting a little bit heated is one thing, arguments are another in my opinion. It's a total loss of self control and never has any positive result.

Worked for a guy that would blow up quite often when the other team did something good against us, was always some assistants fault and sometimes mine as the DC.

I would have maybe gave him my ear if he was even remotely interested in actually watching game film on our opponents. Back then we had VHS tapes, I'd get done with my all weekend breakdown and give a call to see if he then wanted the tapes, only to hear, "Nah, we're just gonna do what we do, tape won't make any difference."

Was glad our time together was short to say the least, so was everyone else. He was like the drunken step Dad that was just looking for a reason to yell at the kids.

I love our head coach but he is a "sky is falling" guy. To say he's offensive minded is an understatement. We had a couple discussions on the headsets last year that were tense. But we are and have always been on the same page. I can't imagine a situation like yours where the HC was placing blame and attacking coaching capabilities without taking responsibility.

We played with a speed package one game because the offensive line we were facing couldn't move their feet well at all. The second play of the game they had a six yard run and he made some kind of comment like "this speed stuff is stupid let's just run our base." I said "that would have been nice to know you felt that way when we were running this all week in practice." He flipped back over to offense and we didn't chat much the rest of the night. We only gave up three points that game. I don't think he really thought it was stupid. I just think he's intense and didn't like the result of the play.

Post by carookie on May 1, 2019 11:40:10 GMT -6

For the most part they are unprofessional, childish, and examples of guys just trying to throw around their egos. If you can't control your emotions to the point where you need to yell at another adult while doing your job then that is on you.

Moreover, arguments shouldn't happen if you have a structured hierarchy and an organized system. Assistants provide information to coordinators/HC he makes the decision.

Everything in life is either a tool to serve the Lord and do his work, or an idol to distract us from Him.

Post by coachcb on May 1, 2019 11:48:57 GMT -6

Getting a little bit heated is one thing, arguments are another in my opinion. It's a total loss of self control and never has any positive result.

Worked for a guy that would blow up quite often when the other team did something good against us, was always some assistants fault and sometimes mine as the DC.

I would have maybe gave him my ear if he was even remotely interested in actually watching game film on our opponents. Back then we had VHS tapes, I'd get done with my all weekend breakdown and give a call to see if he then wanted the tapes, only to hear, "Nah, we're just gonna do what we do, tape won't make any difference."

Was glad our time together was short to say the least, so was everyone else. He was like the drunken step Dad that was just looking for a reason to yell at the kids.

I love our head coach but he is a "sky is falling" guy. To say he's offensive minded is an understatement. We had a couple discussions on the headsets last year that were tense. But we are and have always been on the same page. I can't imagine a situation like yours where the HC was placing blame and attacking coaching capabilities without taking responsibility.

We played with a speed package one game because the offensive line we were facing couldn't move their feet well at all. The second play of the game they had a six yard run and he made some kind of comment like "this speed stuff is stupid let's just run our base." I said "that would have been nice to know you felt that way when we were running this all week in practice." He flipped back over to offense and we didn't chat much the rest of the night. We only gave up three points that game. I don't think he really thought it was stupid. I just think he's intense and didn't like the result of the play.

The game is like a drug. It makes people act differently.

I s'pose the "sky is falling" part is what I have a hard time with on the sideline. As a DC, we've played with a bend-don't-break philosophy: we're going to play a lot of 1-high zone, take away the run and the deep ball and give them the short stuff. I explain this to every HC I work under and all of them claim to be alright with it. But, come game time, half of them are freaking out when an offense is picking up 3-4 yards on short passes.

Post by WingTheT on May 1, 2019 13:52:15 GMT -6

I personally love the blow ups on the sideline and coaches wanting to fight each other just like Last Chance U...

But on a more serious note:So a few years ago, the HC for the high school team had at least 1 assistant coach stay after our practice to help coach the middle school park team (there were no feeder middle school program which is why they played through the local school cluster's park - think of Friday Night Tykes but with middle schoolers).

So of course I the lucky one to be there for the 1st week of the MS team's practice. The middle school HC used to play college ball and thinks he's God's greatest gift on Earth and basically said that he had offers to coach D1 ball, but of course, he turned them down to coach middle school football through the parks. Anyways, long story short, he got into an argument about 30 minutes into practice. He argued with one of his volunteer coaches about who to block on power from the gun...this went on for 10 minutes so I told the kids to get water...

So after another 30 minutes or so, they were trying to run Team Offense and the MS HC wanted an even front look. The same volunteer coach was telling a kid to move to a 1 technique on the guard's inside shoulder. The MS HC literally yelled "STOP! STOP STOP STOP!!!" and told the kid to line up in a 3i (He thinks that the outside shoulder of a guard is a 3 and the inside of the guard is a 3i). Literally these 2 guys are yelling at the top of their lungs at each other while the kids and the other coaches, including myself, are appalled at the big balls shouting match we are witnessing.

Eventually I told the kids to do some conditioning and then sent them home early. Still to this day, some of those players have asked about that incident and it makes me chuckle about how ridiculous that day was.

Post by agap on May 1, 2019 14:01:25 GMT -6

I don't think I've seen or heard an argument on the sidelines on teams I've coached for. I've seen coaches get yelled at, myself included, but never an argument. The coaches office is a different story.

Post by coachcb on May 1, 2019 15:19:15 GMT -6

I don't think I've seen or heard an argument on the sidelines on teams I've coached for. I've seen coaches get yelled at, myself included, but never an argument. The coaches office is a different story.

I like to think I have a thick skin but getting hollered at on the sideline is something that I'm less and less likely to tolerate as I've gotten older. When I was younger, I got yelled at but I had it coming as I was being obnoxious. We were giving up huge chunks of yardage on Speed O during a game because our force player was getting cracked. I kept running my mouth about it as I was frustrated and was finally told by the HC to shut my f*&^ing mouth in front of everyone. I deserved that one.

But, if it's something we can discuss quietly and fix quickly, then let's do so. In the situation I described above, we gave up ten+ yards on a bubble screen that we didn't need to because a) there was poor communication and b) the HC lost it and didn't provide a solution to the situation.

Post by hsrose on May 1, 2019 17:38:51 GMT -6

I barked at a three coaches standing next to each other at a game to quit chirping at the refs. Barked pretty hard. But I had told them previously several times, as a group and individually, that I did not want coaches chirping at the refs. Wasn't my style/way/preference for coaching. After the 3rd time I barked, they backed down and were quiet after that. The elder statesman came to me after the game saying that I was wrong to do that because the refs were not calling stuff. The implication being that we all needed to be chirping at the refs to make sure they did their job. Same coach told me at the end of the season that he didn't support me as the HC. He was the only coach that was on staff and was a school favorite.

Last season was tough. Giving up 35 a game and running spread with no OL. We found 1,001 ways to have significant negative air pressure. Game 7 we're down 28-0 at the start of the 4th and a playground scuffle starts breaking out. Seems the RB coach, whose son was the QB that was getting pounded into the ground, was 'gently conversing' with the OL coach. This OL coach, a youngster that is still playing semi-pro football, had been questioning the honor and integrity of the RBs because they weren't picking up the 9,265 blitzes we were seeing that night. They had been 'conversing' since Q2 and had finally gotten to the point that players and coaches had to step between them. And of course this happens when we are on defense so the QB, the RB coaches son, gets into it as well, defending his dad. Both got talked to after the game. After the game there were no problems, best of friends. During the game, they were going to throw down on each other.

Post by hunhdisciple on May 1, 2019 18:54:10 GMT -6

My first year, our DC was absolutely brilliant. Far too talented to be at a school of our history. A defensive assistant thought he was equally as brilliant. He was not. At all.

At halftime of a really tight game, we were going over some adjustments to make sure we knew what we wanted in the 2nd half. The DC was going over his plan, and the asst made a suggestion. I don't even remember what it was.

DC, after a long pause: Well, if I wanted to lose the game and look like an idiot, I'd do that.

Asst: No no, it's a good idea. You just don't understand it.

DC, poorly hiding his rage: Thank my wife for getting me nice sideline shoes this year. Because if it were old shoes, I'd gladly lose one up your a$$.

And it was followed by the most deafening silence possible.

But, we shut them out in the 2nd half and won by 16. So, he was right.

Post by CoachP on May 1, 2019 20:33:47 GMT -6

Not really a sideline argument; but I would occasionally shout at our DB coach when the DBs screwed up or busted a coverage.

Not because it was his fault or because he had done a poor job teaching them.

Because the players really liked him and had his back. We both knew they would respond in a manner to the effect of "lets make sure coach doesn't get yelled at" or "ball out for Coach". It's worth noting he was warned I may yell at him and he understood the why.

Can't say I've had an argument with another coach on the sideline - in a meeting, that's a different story.

Post by coachtua on May 2, 2019 9:21:13 GMT -6

I got yelled at one time by our HC who was the OC as well. Quick game flat/fade, QB was supposed to read the CB. threw it right to the CB. HC comes unglued. Coach Tua WTF. He threw it right to the DB. What is he looking at. On and on for about a minute. Finally he stops, and I calmly reminded him I was the TE coach and that HE coached the QBs. I hear a mumbled "Chit". Followed by a "F$%&, you jack a$$", and a chuckle.

Post by ropes on May 2, 2019 9:28:09 GMT -6

Real funny coach Tua whenever I watch the sidelines at the high school football here there was one player who legit raged during I think it was a playoff game a few years back. But my favorite is when the HC who calls offense has his QB come over and they always take forever to call the play. Or when they get mad on defense that the fact they can't stop the other team.

Post by SconnieOC on May 2, 2019 9:40:19 GMT -6

Our HC calls the defense, and refuses to flip over to the offense because "its too complicated and I can never find the button". So in order for us to communicate, we have to hunt him down and get his attention. So one game he's raging about a bad defensive pass interference call, long after it happened as the offense was on the field, and as the half is winding down, I go up to remind him we have 2 TO's. He turned on me like I was trying to take his cheeseburger... "I know how many f&$(ing To's we have, you think I'm not effing paying attention, do your damn job and get the ball in the End zone".

He's normally a hot head, especially when things aren't going perfectly, didn't even phase me.. I think most of us have that side that can come out in the heat of the moment. Like someone said, it's about hierarchy, he's the head guy and I'm not going to argue back with him.

Post by coachkeating33 on May 2, 2019 10:04:59 GMT -6

I love our head coach but he is a "sky is falling" guy. To say he's offensive minded is an understatement. We had a couple discussions on the headsets last year that were tense. But we are and have always been on the same page. I can't imagine a situation like yours where the HC was placing blame and attacking coaching capabilities without taking responsibility.

We played with a speed package one game because the offensive line we were facing couldn't move their feet well at all. The second play of the game they had a six yard run and he made some kind of comment like "this speed stuff is stupid let's just run our base." I said "that would have been nice to know you felt that way when we were running this all week in practice." He flipped back over to offense and we didn't chat much the rest of the night. We only gave up three points that game. I don't think he really thought it was stupid. I just think he's intense and didn't like the result of the play.

The game is like a drug. It makes people act differently.

I s'pose the "sky is falling" part is what I have a hard time with on the sideline. As a DC, we've played with a bend-don't-break philosophy: we're going to play a lot of 1-high zone, take away the run and the deep ball and give them the short stuff. I explain this to every HC I work under and all of them claim to be alright with it. But, come game time, half of them are freaking out when an offense is picking up 3-4 yards on short passes.

yea and if you played man and brought pressure they would complain about that too.......

Post by fkaboneyard on May 2, 2019 12:38:47 GMT -6

I've been fortunate that I've never been on a staff where there were arguments on the sidelines. Occasionally a HC that would snap and rip a coach but not arguments. I was on the receiving end of a very nasty (unjustified) ripping during a game a couple years ago. I let it go because getting into a fight with the HC wouldn't have helped the kids win the game, it probably would have hindered them. I had it out with the coach during practice a couple weeks later.

I don't think I could be on a staff where there were regular sideline arguments or rippings, it just would take the fun out of it for me. It seems to me that it's coaches making it about themselves, not the kids.

Post by coachcb on May 2, 2019 13:37:03 GMT -6

Our HC calls the defense, and refuses to flip over to the offense because "its too complicated and I can never find the button". So in order for us to communicate, we have to hunt him down and get his attention. So one game he's raging about a bad defensive pass interference call, long after it happened as the offense was on the field, and as the half is winding down, I go up to remind him we have 2 TO's. He turned on me like I was trying to take his cheeseburger... "I know how many f&$(ing To's we have, you think I'm not effing paying attention, do your damn job and get the ball in the End zone".

He's normally a hot head, especially when things aren't going perfectly, didn't even phase me.. I think most of us have that side that can come out in the heat of the moment. Like someone said, it's about hierarchy, he's the head guy and I'm not going to argue back with him.

I've only argued with an HC twice; in the situation I described above and in another situation involving a personnel substitution.

I was the DC and the HC had stated early in the week that we would be starting a particular kid at the SS spot. The kid was an athlete and ended up making a great FS but he was awful when we put him in the box. He just wasn't physical enough to play up front. He had the physical ability and the coaching to do so but he wasn't one of our "best defenders". We tried to play him at SS the previous week and he got his butt whipped but the HC wanted him practicing and playing the position.

Three plays into the first series, I watch the kid backpedal away from a block and subsequently get run over. The opposing offense punched out a 10 yard gain on the ground because this kid was flatbacked and I was p-ssed. I pulled him and through an underclassmen in there that wasn't as athletic but was aggressive and played the position well. The HC saw the substitution and got angry; "we need our best athletes out there and Johnny is our BEST athlete! Chew his a$$ and put him back in!". So, I gave the kid some coaching points and threw him back in there. Two plays later, he's on his back again so I pull him, put the underclassman in and watch him make some plays.

HC: "I told you I wanted Johnny in there!!"Me: "He's playing awful defense right now. He's gotten pancaked twice and he's backpedaling away from blocks. We can't have him playing strong safety. Watch Billy: he's tearing it up out there."HC: "NO, I WANT JOHNNY BACK IN THERE, NOW!!"Me: "I subbed him back in when you told me to the last time and he stunk it up. I'm not putting him in there again. If you want to sub him in, that's your call."HC: "Johnny, get back in there!!"

I walk away, fuming.

LB coach comes tearing down the sideline: "WHY ARE YOU SUBBING JOHNNY IN!!? HE'S GETTING CRUSHED!!"Me: "Talk to the the boss about it."

Now the same argument ensues between the LB coach and the HC. Things get worse and worse as Johnny gets mauled all game and the coaches are chattering about it over the head set.

That's the one and only time I've been blatantly insubordinate but many of us walked away that season with treadmarks on our backs and I wasn't going to give anyon another opportunity to toss me under the bus.

Post by Victor on May 2, 2019 15:06:43 GMT -6

Not really a sideline argument; but I would occasionally shout at our DB coach when the DBs screwed up or busted a coverage.

Not because it was his fault or because he had done a poor job teaching them.

Because the players really liked him and had his back. We both knew they would respond in a manner to the effect of "lets make sure coach doesn't get yelled at" or "ball out for Coach". It's worth noting he was warned I may yell at him and he understood the why.

Can't say I've had an argument with another coach on the sideline - in a meeting, that's a different story.

Post by CoachP on May 2, 2019 17:01:51 GMT -6

Not really a sideline argument; but I would occasionally shout at our DB coach when the DBs screwed up or busted a coverage.

Not because it was his fault or because he had done a poor job teaching them.

Because the players really liked him and had his back. We both knew they would respond in a manner to the effect of "lets make sure coach doesn't get yelled at" or "ball out for Coach". It's worth noting he was warned I may yell at him and he understood the why.

Can't say I've had an argument with another coach on the sideline - in a meeting, that's a different story.

Somebody is following what Bill Walsh used to do with his assistants

My dream was to do it effectively

I have read his book many a time and certainly where the idea came from!

The key imo to doing it effectively is the positional / assistant coach having real buy in from there players. Often earned over time, through caring and trust.

Post by klaby on May 3, 2019 7:44:00 GMT -6

Its poor leadership point blank. You don't argue in public, and you don't call someone out in front of people. You do it behind closed doors, you don't undermine the coach even if he is wrong. Your not Nick Saban.....when you make 9 million a year then you can do what you want, until then treat people with respect and they will run through walls for you. As a HC if your not willing to take a heat round in public for your guys, and then correct them in private then your not a leader I want to work for. Everyone makes mistakes, EVERYONE.

Post by Defcord on May 4, 2019 8:06:26 GMT -6

Its poor leadership point blank. You don't argue in public, and you don't call someone out in front of people. You do it behind closed doors, you don't undermine the coach even if he is wrong. Your not Nick Saban.....when you make 9 million a year then you can do what you want, until then treat people with respect and they will run through walls for you. As a HC if your not willing to take a heat round in public for your guys, and then correct them in private then your not a leader I want to work for. Everyone makes mistakes, EVERYONE.

I agree with your first statement but I hope your statement about Saban is sarcastic or overstated. Nine million dollars doesn’t make it right to treat people poorly.

Post by Defcord on May 4, 2019 8:13:26 GMT -6

I think the best way to analyze this behavior is to ask oneself after the yelling if they feeling proud about it. Almost always that answer is no and there are follow up apologies.

In my opinion you don’t apologize away something that’s “just part of the game.” I agree it’s part of the game in the sense that it happens but I don’t in anyway think it’s part of the game in the sense that it couldn’t be eliminated. The game and those involved would be better off without tenuous interactions between coaches that get to the point where we, as leaders lose control of our words, actions, and emotions.

Is an argument between coaches the end of the world? Not at all.

Is it the end of the world when McDonalds puts too much salt on my fries. No, but they darn sure would be better without it.

Post by aceback76 on May 4, 2019 10:07:25 GMT -6

A post from another thread got me thinking about this topic. We all know that football games can get intense and emotions run hot on the sidelines. Over the years, I've been involved in or privy to some pretty gnarly sideline arguments that have been written off as a part of coaching the game. I know that it takes a thick skin to be a coach but I often wonder how professional this little spats on the sideline really are. We talk all the time about keeping arguments behind closed doors so why would the sideline be any different?

I'm interested to read people's views on this topic.

The Head Coach MUST have enough control over his staff and NOT allow this. A temperamental coach is 90% temper and 10% mental. Set an example of the POISE you preach to your team!

Post by newhope on May 7, 2019 8:09:03 GMT -6

I just used to view it as a part of the game as I saw arguments happen on the sidelines of NFL and college games and was around or involved in a few while I've coached. I've had HC's get after me over the headphones or on the sideline for one thing or another over the years but nothing really bothered me. But, a situation a few years ago did:

We were in the middle of a close game and I was the DC. A team motioned to trips and ran a bubble screen for five yards. My eyes were on the secondary, making sure they executed the triangle rotation correctly. Here's the conversation that ensues over the headphones:

Coach in the box: "The defense was set coach."Me: "I need specifics, coach, what do you mean they weren't set?"Coach: "We weren't lined up right."Me: "WHO WASN'T LINE UP RIGHT?"

BAM!, they motion to trips and hit a bubble screen again for five yards. Again, my eyes are on the triangle rotation as I'm thinking that the safety is screwing it up by not getting down quick enough or is too far in. But, he's in the correct alignment.

HC pops the headphones off and storms over: "GET YOU F&*&ING DEFENSE LINED UP RIGHT!!"Me: "I'm trying coach but I can't get it fixed if I don't know what's wrong."Coach in the box: "We're not lined up right!!"Another coach over the headphones: "THEY'RE KILLING US WITH THE BUBBLE SCREEN! GET THE DBS SQUARED AWAY!!"

I take the headphones off and run down to the other end of the sideline to get a better look at what is going on. The HC follows me down, hollering the whole way. This time, I see our Sam cheating inside when they motion to trips, holler at him to bump out but it's to late: he gets his butt pinned inside and they smack us with another bubble screen.

HC comes uncorked: "GET THE F*&(ING LINEBACKERS LINED UP RIGHT!! CHEERIST!! FUNDAMENTALS!!"Me (put the headphones back on): Guys, I need details from the box. If a linebacker is out of place, tell me a linebacker is out of place!!"Coach in the box: "I told you they weren't lined up right!!"

You get the gist of it.

That describes it very well. If your guys in the box don't do their job, you can't make adjustments. Finding the right guy to put up there who understands what he needs to do if not always easy. Head coaches expect coordinators to make the right adjustments and, yes, we get upset when things don't get fixed--and fixed fast.

Post by coachcb on May 7, 2019 8:45:04 GMT -6

I just used to view it as a part of the game as I saw arguments happen on the sidelines of NFL and college games and was around or involved in a few while I've coached. I've had HC's get after me over the headphones or on the sideline for one thing or another over the years but nothing really bothered me. But, a situation a few years ago did:

We were in the middle of a close game and I was the DC. A team motioned to trips and ran a bubble screen for five yards. My eyes were on the secondary, making sure they executed the triangle rotation correctly. Here's the conversation that ensues over the headphones:

Coach in the box: "The defense was set coach."Me: "I need specifics, coach, what do you mean they weren't set?"Coach: "We weren't lined up right."Me: "WHO WASN'T LINE UP RIGHT?"

BAM!, they motion to trips and hit a bubble screen again for five yards. Again, my eyes are on the triangle rotation as I'm thinking that the safety is screwing it up by not getting down quick enough or is too far in. But, he's in the correct alignment.

HC pops the headphones off and storms over: "GET YOU F&*&ING DEFENSE LINED UP RIGHT!!"Me: "I'm trying coach but I can't get it fixed if I don't know what's wrong."Coach in the box: "We're not lined up right!!"Another coach over the headphones: "THEY'RE KILLING US WITH THE BUBBLE SCREEN! GET THE DBS SQUARED AWAY!!"

I take the headphones off and run down to the other end of the sideline to get a better look at what is going on. The HC follows me down, hollering the whole way. This time, I see our Sam cheating inside when they motion to trips, holler at him to bump out but it's to late: he gets his butt pinned inside and they smack us with another bubble screen.

HC comes uncorked: "GET THE F*&(ING LINEBACKERS LINED UP RIGHT!! CHEERIST!! FUNDAMENTALS!!"Me (put the headphones back on): Guys, I need details from the box. If a linebacker is out of place, tell me a linebacker is out of place!!"Coach in the box: "I told you they weren't lined up right!!"

You get the gist of it.

That describes it very well. If your guys in the box don't do their job, you can't make adjustments. Finding the right guy to put up there who understands what he needs to do if not always easy. Head coaches expect coordinators to make the right adjustments and, yes, we get upset when things don't get fixed--and fixed fast.

Honestly, I was frustrated because our guy in the box was a great, knowledgeable coach. I don't know if something funky was going on with the headsets that night (only our second game with a new set). We didn't have issues before or after that with communication from the box.

Either way, things got heated in the coaches' office the next Sunday and I flat out told the guys to pay attention to their positions, whether they were in the box or on the field. I was the DB coach so I was looking at the secondary and the LB coach should've caught our Sam cheating inside.